Adam Wachtel confident of My Name is Michael as a Kentucky Derby contender
Owner Adam Wachtel has been on the hunt for his next Kentucky Derby runner since August now, the preference was to scout out an under the radar 2-year-old colt who has enough in him to go through the prep races and the main event, and the owner might have stumbled onto gold.
After watching the dark bay 2-year-old colt by Macho Uno, My Name is Michael, in the Display Stakes at Woodbine running a strong second on 1 December, 2012; Wachtel might have his prayers answered.
Winner of a maiden special weight, with 3 placed finishes in four starts, My Name is Michael will be sent to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott to get conditioned for the task ahead.
My Name is Michael will start his Kentucky Derby campaign by participating in the prep races in late January or early February, and one option is the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, presumably to be run on 2 February, 2013.
This information was released by Adam Wachtel on 3 December, who owns 75 percent of interest in the horse in partnership with Barry Butzer and Dominion Bloodstock.
Out of Graciously Soft by Vindication, My Name is Michael was purchased by Adam Wachtel after his third place finish in an allowance race at Woodbine racecourse to winner, Clearly Now, on 3 November, 2012.
Prior to that, My Name is Michael was trained by David Cotey, who also trained the 2009 winner of the Kentucky Derby, Mine That Bird.
“I think he has all the attributes,” Wachtel said Monday. “The other day, he showed me he can go two turns. I think he’s talented enough. Will he handle the dirt? I’d be surprised if he didn’t.
“He’s going to go to Bill, that can’t be a bad move,” Wachtel added. “The good horses I’ve given him – Ron the Greek and Al Khali – he’s found a way to get the most out of them.”
His first start around two turns was in the Display Stakes, and the colt finished within the 1 ¼ lengths to Avie’s Quality, despite being pushed out way wide on the final turn.
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